To find success you need to work on removing any ounce of small-mindedness, conformity and self-imposed limitations. Set your standards high, and remember you should never apologise to anyone for what you have planned for yourself. You are your worst critic after all and those who try to drag you down will only make you stronger.
When it comes to your goals and dreams, remember to think as big as you can, expect nothing less than the best, have courage and most importantly, be kind and respectful.
1. Collaborate with others.
As they often say “it’s not about what you know but who you know” While this shouldn’t be the case it is otherwise true. Success is about relationships. Create relationships with your customers and colleagues, the loyalty and dedication will help in the direction of your business pursuits. Once you create a small network and base, set standards for the work that needs to be accomplished. You should try to set these standards as challenging but putting in the work will make them very much achievable. The result for this will be a high-level of productivity and set in stone the kind of service you aim to perform. Creating the smaller steps helps you to boost morale and the short term goals are much easier to reach than your long term goals, understandably.
You can only do so much in business alone, you need others around you for your own success. Having people around you will help to give you that sense of empowerment and completeness. A network of people will help to create a sense of community. Success doesn’t have to be a lonely road, collaborate with others, bounce ideas off each other and boost each other up.
2. Never neglect.
Dedicate time and energy wherever necessary, whether it be personal or professional matters you should make sure neither are neglected. Look after yourself and your body and it will look after you.
Make the time to complete tasks and assignments on schedule. Focus on what you will be able to achieve, what skills will you gain? Your journey is never going to be linear, learn and improve. Make lists, write what needs to be done. Focus on what is most important for you and your plan. Try not to get into a situation where things need to be completed urgently. Urgency creates a jumbled and irrational mind. Focus on what you can control and plan ahead, some bouts of urgency can give you a thrill but too much can distract you from what you really want.
3. Choose possibilities, not problems.
Within yourself you hold a power, the deep belief there are solutions for every kind of problem. When you approach challenges from a solutions-focused perspective it leaves you with nothing but success on the mind. This results in your thinking of ways to work through many if not all obstacles that could be put in your way .
If you cannot find a solution, open your thoughts to others, seek their ideas and suggestions. Solution-focused minds reward and inspire each other. When solutions are the focus you learn to fail and adapt, moving away from the fixing and failing approach.
4. Self-check.
Ensure you do not run yourself into the ground. You want to be able to have a strong focus on your work but remember you are allowed time for yourself and to do nothing. A small break to focus on nothing but yourself can do the world of good, recharge yourself and recharge your focus.
One of the best ways to keep yourself focused and motivated is to write things down and step out the steps you will take to get there. The smaller steps will also help you to not burn out or over exert yourself. Once each step is complete you will be met with a sense of accomplishment as it is another thing to tick off your list. Let it help you find, and own your power.
Personal power means you set goals for your performance standards and productivity. Own it, it is yours!
5. Manage your time.
There is so much power that comes with the now. Do you decide to complete the most important tasks out of the way first or do you typically work through the smaller things. You do need to manage your time so you do not get caught in the small, “urgent” tasks that pull you from the more important aims that really require your attention. Break everything down and then focus on what is most important and work from there.
This is the same way you should focus your time when it comes to relationships. Always aim to make a good impression, be on time or even early to all events. This shows commitment and leaves those around you feeling important and respected. When you can make another person feel significant, you are adding to your power. How you are with time says alot about your commitment and how you are as a character, as a person and leader.
When you respect your time and that of others, you will notice an increase of productivity in your engagements. Give and thou shall receive, but should not be expected.
6. Accept responsibility
Whatever happens in your life or your career you should always hold yourself accountable for your actions. This is the best path to the development of your personal development is to accept responsibility for the outcomes, both positive and negative. You should try to learn from every “mistake” and turn it into a lesson. Use it as a learning experience and figure out what needs to be changed for you and approach to be more effective. Taking this responsibility allows you to be flexible, take criticism and change your approach.
Working to understand your mistakes gives you more than what they could ever take. Mistakes show you new directions that you could take, all while reaping so much more.
7. Be kind
The power of kindness is such an underrated thing in terms of business. It seems everyone is wanting to be the best. While yes, you should always try to be the best in all that you do, it is better to master one thing and master it well. That being said, kindness does not mean you are a “yes” person or a pushover. Kindness is when you are able to deliver good and bad news with grace, where you are able to give feedback rather than criticism. Displaying a kindness that inspires hard work and helps to show people the endless possibilities and not the problems.
Be kind to others and be kind to yourself. Kindness will take you further in your success story than you may think. Embrace your right to think for yourself, to speak your mind, to pursue happiness, success and accept any financial gain you may receive from it. Show your inner awareness and allow it to create a sense of peace. Do not conform to anyone else’s small standards, including your own. Empower yourself just by being you.
Take advantage of any opportunity, organise what you want to do and where you want to go. Strive for that beautiful sense of freedom. In your freedom lies your real power, don’t let it go to waste.